Lovie Smith will be interviewed by the Texans

The Houston Texans fired coach Gary Kubiak on Friday and it didn’t take long for former Bears coach Lovie Smith to be mentioned as his possible replacement. Texans owner Bob McNair said at a press conference that his coaching searching is already underway and he indicated that Smith would be a candidate. McNair said he’s

The Houston Texans fired coach Gary Kubiak on Friday and it didn’t take long for former Bears coach Lovie Smith to be mentioned as his possible replacement.

Texans owner Bob McNair said at a press conference that his coaching searching is already underway and he indicated that Smith would be a candidate. McNair said he’s looking for a replacement with NFL head-coaching experience.

“It’s based more on the individual,” said McNair, according to NFL.com. “We’re looking for a coach who’s bright, ethical, innovation and is able to make adjustments.”

Smith, a Texas native, was fired last December after nine seasons with the Bears. He had a solid 81-63 record with the Bears and went 10-6 in 2012 (after a 7-1 start), but the Bears had made the playoffs just once in the past six seasons.

While Smith’s defenses were typically among the best in the league, general manager Phil Emery cited the Bears’ offensive failures in Smith’s tenure and the lack of playoff appearances as his main reasons for a coaching change.

Smith made the rounds last year after he was fired by the Bears, interviewing with the Bills, Eagles and Chargers. He’s expected to be a hot name again this offseason.

“Aaaaaaaaaaand we’re off,” Matt Smith, Lovie’s son and agent, said on Twitter on Friday.

The Texans entered the 2013 season with Super Bowl aspirations, but they are 2-11 thanks to quarterback Matt Schaub’s turnover-filled performances and a defense that’s underperformed after a stellar 2012 campaign.